Combined milling tool and pipe puller



Sept. 13, 1949. J. R. YANcEY COMBINED MILLING TOOL AND PIPE FULLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 23, 1945 N 2 al 3 7 hm!! Sept-v 13 l949- J. R. YANCEY 2,481,637

COMBINED MILLING TOOL AND PIPE FULLER Filed Feb. 23, 1945 2 sheets-sheet z 'A g? Z l Vx 5 ze a4 si .j s Pff l il.; p -7# a 4-/4 2f fw f2? l l 0 3M" a lig' 34 E/ t v I |l /22 231m; 28 ,Ill SE1; /37 .38 QE '/jf/ /f '24 ?\%/l 4% w *190. 1i? al 36 l 2, f 7/ fr y 3s Patented Sept. 13, 1949 COMBINED MILLING TOOL AND PIPE PULLER John R. Yancey, Houston, Tex., assignor to A-l Bit & Tool Company, Houston, Tex., a corpora-f tion of Texas Application February 23, 1945, Serial No. 579,467

Claims. (Cl. 164-0.8)

This invention relates to a combined milling` vtool and pipe puller.

An object of the invention is to provide a well tool of the character described shaped to be lowered into a pipe in a well and to cut by rotation to sever the pipe and to mill away the section, or a portion thereof, beneath the cut and, if desired, to pull the upper cutoi section from the well.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character described comprising a body having a series of blades or milling cutters thereon movable outwardly into active position, and ,having a series of grapples thereon movable outwardly into active position, with means for normally holding said blades and grapples inwardly, or inactive, and means whereby the blades and grapples may be forced, by hydraulic pressure, into active position in the desired sequence.

' The invention also comprehends a novel method of cutting and removing stuck pipe from a well.

With the above and other objects in view this invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a vertical sectional view of the tool in inactive position.

Figure 2 shows a vertical sectional View of the tool showing the milling blades active.

Figure 3 shows a vertical sectionalview of the tool showing the milling 'blades in inactive position and showing the grapples in engagement with a cutoii section of pipe.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken on l the line 4--4 of Figure 2,and`- Figure 5 Shows'a-'cross-sectional view taken onf'the line'53-5 f Figure 1.

' end of the string 2.

per end of the cylinder 4 is flared forming a seat 1.

The lower portion of the passageway through the body is reduced in diameter forming an annular, upwardly facing, shoulder 8. Fitted within this reduced portion there is a lower tubular housing 9 whose upper end has an external, annular, shoulder IU which rests on the shoulder 8.

Supported on the upper end of the housing 9 there is an upper tubular housing I I whose lower end is provided with an external, annular, V- groove I2 and threaded radially through the wall of the body with its inner end projecting into said groove there isa set screw I3 which locks both of said housings in place.

Seated on an inside, annular, shoulder IH, in the body there is a spacer sleeve l5 and within this sleeve, and spaced therefrom, there is an u pper cylinder I6 having an external, annular, rib Il which rests on the upper end of the spacer sleeve I 5 and is clamped thereon by the lower The lower end of this upper cylinder is formed with a downwardly ared seat I8.

Within the lower cylinder i there is a piston i I9 Whose upper end is flared to conform to the shape of the seat l. The piston I9 has an upwardly extended stem I9a which extends up into the lower end of the housing 9 and this stem has a deep, annular groove 20 therearound.

In the upper `cylinder I6 there 'is a piston,2l

whose lower end is flared to co'niorin to the shape of the seat I8. The piston 2l has a depending .stem 22 whose lower end is reduced in diameter,

forming an external, downwardly facing shoulder 23, and said reduced lower endv extends on down and telescopes into the upper end of the stem I9a. On the upper end of the stem I9a and surrounding the reduced lower end of the stem 22 there is a stuing box 2d. Surrounding the stem 22 above the shoulder 23 there is a deep, annular, groove 25.

Mounted within the housing 9 and interposed between the stuiling box 2d and the lower end of the housing Il, and surrounding the stem 22, there is a coil, compression, spring 26; and seated on an inside shoulder 2l in the housing I I, and surrounding the stem 22, there is a coil, compression, spring 28 on which the shoulder 23 rests.

The stems I9a and 2l have an axial channel 29 which leads from the upper cylinder above the piston therein into the lower cylinder beneath the piston therein.

v:lsinwardly turned into said cylinder. The up-- The body has the upper series or radial slots port Il in said housing and on 3l through the wall thereof and also has a lower series of radial slots 3l through the wall thereof. 'Ihe upper ends of the slots 30 are radial forming the shoulders 22 and their lower ends taper downwardly and outwardly. The lower ends of the slots 3| extend radially forming the shoulders There are, preferably, four slots of each series as shown in Figure 4.

Pivotally mounted in the upper slots are the blades, or cutters, u whose ends are reduced in width and extend into the groove 25 and the upper sides of these extensions are beveled oil, as shown. When in extended position the outer ends of these blades extend out beyond the-pipe 25 to be cut and rest against the shoulders 32, which reinforce them, and their inner ends rest on, and are reinforced by. the upper end of the housing Il.

Pivoted in the lower slots 3| are the pipe grapples 36 whose inner ends Aare reduced in widthandextended inwardly into the groove 20 and whose lower sides are beveled oil, as shown. When extended these grapples extend out beyond the lower end of the cut oi! section of pipe and they rest against, and are reinforced by the shoulders 33, while their inner ends rest against and are reinforced bythe lower end of the housing 9.

The tool may be assembled as shown in Figure 1 and let down into the pipe 36 in the well to the point where the cut is to be made. While being lowered the grapples and cutters will be held retracted by the pressure of the springs 26 and 28. As the tool is lowered the operatingstring of pipe 2 may ll with the well liquid through the channels 5 and 29.

Pressure may be applied to the liquid in the string 2 by a pump at the ground surface and this will force the plunger 2| downwardly and -when the upper yside of the groove 25 engages the inner ends of the blades 3l said blades will be forced outwardly into contact with the pipe 35 andas the tool is rotated the pipe will be severed.

Y As the plunger 2| is forced downwardly the spring 28 will be compressedand the liquidi'n the upper housing Il will be forced out through a side ports 38 in the body I. i The cylinder I6 has one, or more, side po 39 which are normally covered by the piston 2i. When the piston 2| moves down far enough to fully expand the cutters Il these side ports 3! will be uncovered and the liquid may pass on down and out through the slots 30 to cool the cutting blades and to carry away the cuttings.

The cutters 30 will now rest on the upper end of the section of pipe beneath, as shown in Figure 2 and as the tool is rotated the section beneath will be milled away until a suillcient window is formed. Y

Should it be desired to pull the cut of! section above, the tool may be elevated until the blades 34 engage, and are retracted by the upper, or cut off section oi' pipe and the grapples 2i clear the upper end of the lower section of the pipe and the pressure in the cylinder I will elevate the piston I9 until the lower side of the groove 20 engages the extended inner ends of the grapples and forces their outer ends outwardly, all as shown in Figure 3. Upon upward movement of the tool'the grapples will engage the lower end of the cut oi'! section and said section may be pulled from the well.

out throghradial When the piston I9 is elevated it will clear the upper end of the channel fand liquid may freely '4 flow downwardly into the well beneath for flushing purposes. As will be noted from an inspection of Figures 4 and 5 the body I is provided with external, vertical lchannels providing for the free return of the flushing liquid outside of the tool.

By relieving the pressure against the piston'2l the springs 26, 28 will retract the cutters and grapples so that the tool can be relocated, if desired, for another operation.

What I claim is: 1. A tool of the character described shaped to l' be inserted into a vpipe in a well and comprising.

a body, a cutter pivoted thereon, a grapple pivoted thereon, yieldable means normally holding the cutter and grapple retracted inwardly, means arranged to be actuated by duid, under pressure. and effective to rotate said cutter on its pivot outwardly to sever said pipe, upon rotation of the tool, and also effective to rotate the grapple, on its pivot, outwardly into active position into engagement with the lower end of the severed pipe section above. 2. A tool of the character described comprising. a body, a cutter pivoted on the body to move outwardly into active position to sever the pipe or inwardly into inactive position, a pipe engaging device pivoted on the body to move outwardly into active, or engaging position underneath the cut 0H pipe section above, or inwardly into inactive position, yieldable means in the body normally holding the cutter and pipe engaging device inwardly, or in inactive position, independent means in the body arranged to be actuated by fluid, under pressure, for moving the cutter and pipe engaging device outwardly.

3. A cutting and pulling tool comprising, aA

body, a cutter and a grapple pivoted to rotate on the body, an upper and a lower cylinder in the body, a piston in each cylinder, means operatively connecting one piston with the cutter, means operatlvely connecting the other piston with the grapple, yieldable means arranged to `hold the cutter and grapple retracted and means for controlling the application of uid, under pressure, to the pistons to move the cutter and grapple'outwardly into active position.

4. A tool of the character described comprising a cutter body, a cutter pivoted thereon to move outwardly into active position orrlnwardly into retracted position, a grapple pivoted on the body to move outwardly into active position or inwardly into retracted position, yieldable means normally holding the cutter and grapple -retracted, cylinders in the body, pistons in the cyland movable outwardly into active position or inwardly into inactive position, an upper cylinder inthe body having a relief port, a piston in the cylinder operatively connected with the cutter and normally closing said port, a grapple pivoted on the body and movable outwardly into active position and inwardly into retracted position. a

vlower cylinder in the body having a relief port. a

agencer piston in the lower cylinder operatively connected with the grapple and normally closing said last mentioned port. means for applying uid under pressure to the pistons to move the same to actuate the cutter and the grapple into active positions and to uncover said ports to permit relief of the operating fluid from the cylinders.

6. A tool of the character described insertable into a stuck pipe in a Well and comprising, a body, a. cutter pivoted thereon, a grapple pivoted thereon, yieldable means normally holding the cutter and grapple retracted, means arranged to be actuated by fluid, under pressure, and effective to rotate said cutter and grapple in succession, on their pivots, outwardly into active position `whereby the cutter will sever the pipe, upon rotation o1 the tool and the grapple will engage the lower end of the severed section upon upward movement of the tool, said tool having a channel for the ow of flushing iluid downwardly therethrough` 7 A tool of the character described adapted to cut by rotation and comprising, a body shaped to be lowered into a pipe in a well, a cutter mount-n ed thereon and movable outwardly into active or cutting position or inwardly into retracted position, a grapple mounted on the body and movable outwardly into active position underneath the lower end of the cut oil! pipe section or inwardly into retracted position, means for supporting the grapple in active position and means under the control of an operator eective to actuate the cutter or grapple into active position.

8. A tool of the character described comprising, a body shaped to be lowered into a pipe in a well, a cutter mounted thereon and movable outwardly into active position or inwardly into retracted position, a grapple mounted on the body and movable outwardly into active position or inwardly into retracted position, means underneath the grapple to support it when it is in active position and means arranged to be actuated by duid under pressure effective to actuate the cutter or grapple into active position.

9. A pipe cutting and pulling tool adapted to cut by rotation and shaped to be lowered into a pipe in a well and comprising, a body, a, cutter thereon movable outwardly and adapted to cut a window through the pipe upon rotation of the tool, means for moving the cutter outwardly, a

grapple on the body, said cutter being mounted-soas to be retracted by the severed section of pipe above upon upward movement of the tool, means for moving the grapple outwardly through said window and into position to engage the severed section above upon further upward movement of the tooln 10. A pipe cutting and pulling tool adapted to out by rotation and shaped to be lowered into a pipe in a well and comprising, a body, a, cutter thereon movable outwardly and adapted to out a window through the pipe upon rotation of the tool, means for moving the cutter outwardly, a grapple on the body, means for moving the grapple outwardly whereby, upon movement of the tool in the pipe to bring the grapple opposite the window, said grapple will be projected out through the window and into position to engage the severed section above upon upward movement of the tool.

JOHN R. YANCEY.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UN crains PA'rENrs Number Name Date 1,805,828 Lowrey et al May 19, 1931 2,199,020 Barrett et al Apr. 30, 1940 2,261,564 Robichauz et al. Nov. 4, 1941 2,299,528 Conner Oct. 20, 1942 2,322,695 Kinzbach June 22, 1943 

